Rediscover your breathing

(From A Morning Cup of Stretching by Beth Pierpoint)
Breathing is an important part of stretching. Breathing provides oxygen. Oxygen is carried by the blood to the muscles to help get rid of the toxins that make you stiff and sore. Tight muscles are just that-tight. You stretch to help lengthen the tight muscles. If you hold your breath while you stretch, you cannot get the oxygen and the blood to the muscles to help get rid of those toxins. So, breathing and stretching go hand in hand. We've all been told when we're stressed to "stop and take a deep breath." There really is scientific evidence that the deep breath helps reduce muscle tension. -em

Bad Blogger

So, I've been doing a really bad job, and I intend to change that. Life has been at a point where I had too much on my plate, but I'm working on changing that, so thank you, for continuing to support me and our journey.

Our EarthWalk team, "Our Karma Yoga," had a great time at the walk last weekend. Thanks to those who came out to support our local retailers working to make our world a better place.

I know we haven't updated the videos as promised, but that is going to be changing too. We have new devices that will make it sooo much easier, so look for those to be updating soon.

Lastly, I want to continue to express my gratitude to those who are participating in yoga in the Barefoot Yoga Studio. We have the same bunch still participating that joined on when the studio first opened to business. And... we're growing! One student is training to become a yoga teacher and she is going to be using the space for her classes on Wed. nights. Good luck to Kat and her class! namaste, em

What to eat as a yogini

So, you practice yoga... now what? You try to attend classes as often as possible, you mix up your instructors, or stick to your favorite, but above all, you find comfort in how your body feels during and after your yoga practice. As you continue the journey, you maybe begin to question other areas of your life... such as why do I say and behave certain ways, why do I carry tension in various parts of my body, and why do I eat this or that "comfort" food? This is truly the fun of yoga!! It demands you take a closer look at who you are and why you are the way you are. Just for today, let's take a closer look at food...

(From yogajournal.com)
You know your diet is working well when you feel your system is supported rather than depleted by your practice.
By Mary Taylor and Lynn Ginsburg
The practice of yoga is inherently individual, directly experienced within the solitary confines of the body's internal landscape. And why you choose to practice yoga is also personal, with as many goals for yoga as there are different personalities and life histories. But while you approach the sticky mat with your own unique body type, physical geometry, injuries, quirks, and habits, what you are ultimately seeking through the practice of yoga is the universal form. By working with your own individual patterns within the universal form of the asanas, what you probably hope to discover is a place of balance.

Eating can also be considered a practice in which you seek universal balance. Like yoga, eating is a highly personal activity-you learn to adapt your needs to the many popular nutritional systems and diets. Developing a mindful eating practice can provide a ground that truly supports and nurtures your yoga.

But in developing this kind of supportive nutritional practice, one of the joys and challenges is understanding that (as with everything else in yoga) there is no easy "one size fits all" solution for finding the right foods.

If you would like to read the rest of this article: http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/9
-em